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Kyle Petty reacts to NASCAR ruling after controversial Martinsville finish

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones11/04/24brianjones_93
Kyle Petty
Aug 22, 2015; Bristol, TN, USA; NASCAR diver/announcer Kyle Petty at the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Petty shared his thoughts on NASCAR penalizing Christopher Bell at Martinsville which led to him being eliminated from the playoffs. On X, the former NASCAR driver and current analyst said that NASCAR made the right call as Bell broke the rules with his wall-riding incident during the final lap of the race.

“[NASCAR] got it right!” Petty wrote. “[William Byron] to Phoenix to race for the championship!” Because of Bell’s elimination, Byron claimed the final spot in the Championship 4 race. He will join Martinsville winner Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick to compete for the title.

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After Kyle Petty shared his post about NASCSAR’s decision on Bell, he sent a message to the people who disagreed with him. “I’m not arguing tonight because I don’t feel like dealing with some of you honestly,” Petty wrote. “1st there is no rule against blocking and manufacturers have been working together for years! (See Daytona and Talladega) 2nd wall ride is against the rules, that’s a fact. Conversation over…”

NASCAR made the rule against wall riding after Ross Chastain did the “Hail Melon” move in 2022 to reach the Championship 4 race. After the Martinsville race, NASCAR’s vice president of competition Elton Sawyer explained why Bell was penalized.

NASCAR official Elton Sawyer details Martinsville incident

“We look at all the video. As I back up on that, you go back two years ago when we had the situation with Ross here,” Sawyer said. “We went to Phoenix. There was a lot of dialogue with the drivers that that’s not a move that we want to have to make on the last lap. We were able to get through Phoenix and had a great championship race that year.

“In the off-season meeting with the industry, meeting with our drivers, and to a man that was not a move that they want to have to make. There was language in the rule back. When you look at it today, clearly got up against the fence there in three and four, and rode the fans all the way off four there.”

Sawyer also said that Bell and Joe Gibbs Racing can’t appeal the decision. “It’s a race violation. Race violation, you don’t protest them,” he said. It’s not appealable, I should say. No different than an uncontrolled tire or too many men over the wall or anything like that.”